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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
A survey of poultry ectoparasites was carried out on 90 flocks of various types in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Eighty-one per cent of the flocks were carrying one or more species of ectoparasite. The chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (DeG.), was present on two out of three flocks and was most frequently located in the joints of the roosts. Chicken lice were parasitizing one out of three flocks. The two most frequently found species were the shaft louse, Menopon gallinae (L.), and the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus (Nitz.). One other species of mite and two other species of lice were also found. About 30% of the flocks were infested with the European chicken flea, Ceratophyllus gallinae (Schr.).
Operators were aware of only 42% of all infestations found on their flocks. They were most likely to be aware of the chicken mite and had recognized 54% of these infestations. In most cases operators could not distinguish among the various species of ectoparasites.
Control measures had been carried out on 57% of the flocks surveyed. Nicotine sulphate, the most popular compound, had been used on one-half of the flocks for which control measures were reported. Organic insecticides had been used on one-third of the treated flocks.
